AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Sorry to hear that,” she said.
“But not surprised?”
“Well, ‘I told you so’ never helped anyone a whole heap.”
“Right.”
Barbara considered. She didn’t really have time to be a shoulder to cry on. Her shoulders were pretty heavy with other stuff, like the trio of corpses in the freezer. But sometimes, you had to put the living first.
“You want a coffee?” she asked.
“I guess.”
“Come and sit down. How d’you take it?”
“Black, no sugar, thanks.”
“Coming right up.”
Mayflower hovered near the booth where Barbara had been sitting.
“Mom and Dad are going apeshit that this place is still shut.”
“Yeah, well, sorry about that,” Barbara said, walking over to the coffee machine and turning it on. “But till we can get the coroner over here I’ve got to preserve the evidence.” She caught herself, thinking that some of the evidence was people. People who, only days ago, had been as alive as she was.
The coffee machine gurgled. She stuck a mug under it.
“You know when that will be?” Mayflower asked.
“Well, if the storm clear ups, hopefully tomorrow afternoon.”
“Right.”
Barbara eyed her carefully. “You really here for beer and steak, or did your mom send you over to quiz me?”
Mayflower shifted awkwardly. “Bit of both. Mom’s used to being the one who knows everything. It’s driving her crazy not being the font of all gossip.”
Barbara smiled and brought the coffee over. “Well, I’m afraid I can’t share any information about an ongoing investigation.”
“Yeah, I thought that’s what you’d say.” Mayflower accepted the coffee and sat down.
“Look,” Barbara said. “I understand that people are worried, and angry, right now. But Deputy Tucker and I are doing all we can to solve this case, bring the killer to justice…and get out of your hair.”
Mayflower nodded. But she still seemed distracted. Something was wrong.
“Any other reason you’re here?” Barbara asked, as casually as she could.
Mayflower looked down into her coffee. It was the first time Barbara had seen the girl uncertain, her armor of attitude lowered.
“Mom and Dad—they’re traditional, right? Grown up in Deadhart, been here their whole lives, say grace before dinner, Second Amendment types.”
“I’ve known a few.”
“But they’re not bad people. Mom can seem a bit harsh, but she works hard to keep this place afloat.”
“And your dad?”
“He used to have a problem with gambling, but he’s stopped.”
